Photo: Andrew Baird, President
by Kristen Ku
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Jan. 8, 2024
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) held elections following its general meeting on January 5, 2024.
With the re-election of Andrew Baird as President and the appointment of new officers, the union is poised to address long-standing challenges at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
The election resulted in a mix of continuity and fresh perspectives within the KHMHAWU leadership. Alongside President Andrew Baird, the union welcomed Dr. Alain Gonzalez as Vice President, Caleb Gillett as Secretary, Johnathan Sosa as Assistant Secretary, Kereen Birch as Treasurer, Roy Briceno as Assistant Treasurer, and Councilors Melanie Usher, Tyrone Wright, and Evan Dawson.
The union expressed gratitude towards its members for their active participation in the democratic process, noting the importance of collective decision-making in shaping the future of healthcare services.
In a statement following his election as Vice President, Dr. Alain Gonzalez, a 16-year veteran at the KHMHA, emphasized his commitment to improving resources and staff-management relations.
He acknowledged the daily risks and challenges faced by healthcare workers and outlined his objectives:
“I know the needs our staff has and will work closely with the President on issues such as completing our CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement); obtaining a pension for over 200 workers that have been working since 2001 to 2017 and were not on the pension scheme; and working with the KHMHA to provide much-needed resources and better working environment,” he said.
The union’s leadership faces a daunting task. The demand for better resources in healthcare, coupled with the need for improved staff conditions, remains a high priority.
The ongoing challenges of healthcare funding, staff shortages, and the need for stronger worker protection are also at the forefront of the union’s agenda. There is hope that the new union leadership will promote a more collaborative atmosphere between staff and management, leading to better healthcare outcomes for patients.